I would be really surprised if Canon updates this lens prior to the 35 f/1.4.

Which one would you want? While I can 'dream' an immediate update to both lenses, I'd rather have an updated 35L first.

For some reason the 35mm focal length never did it for me (I'm definitely in the minority) while the 24L II really spoke to me in terms of focal length. If I could have any prime updated, I'd love to see a 135 f/2 a bit sharper wide open, with IS, better coatings, and 9-blade aperture, or perhaps a 180 macro with 2.8 aperture and 9-blade aperture.

I would be really surprised if Canon updates this lens prior to the 35 f/1.4.

Which one would you want? While I can 'dream' an immediate update to both lenses, I'd rather have an updated 35L first.

For some reason the 35mm focal length never did it for me (I'm definitely in the minority) while the 24L II really spoke to me in terms of focal length. If I could have any prime updated, I'd love to see a 135 f/2 a bit sharper wide open, with IS, better coatings, and 9-blade aperture, or perhaps a 180 macro with 2.8 aperture and 9-blade aperture.

I'd rather have a 180mm macro with hybrid IS that focuses faster.

I have used my 180 macro handheld about 1% of the time, so personally I would not find it of much use and would not want to pay for it, but that's just me...

Can somebody tell me why people want next gen lenses but want smaller f/stops to go with it?

To clarify, my comments about a range of f1.4 replacements is more an opinion on Canon's recent trend, rather than what I'd like - realistically, Canon hasn't yet produced a lens with IS on an f-stop less than 2.0, I have read elsewhere that IS on fast lenses gets more difficult, so a f1.4 lens with IS looks unlikely.

Fast lenses come with compromises, this is why most people reserve use of the widest f-stops for special use rather than the norm, which is why IS on fast'ish lenses has become another compromise for many, making lenses like the 35mm f2.0 IS considerably better in low light situations, in particular where action doesn't need freezing, than previous faster f1.4 lenses.

I'd love to see a f0.95 50mm lens with IS, but the technology isn't there and the cost would make it a very specialist lens, unless fantasy land could make it for £99 - but that's not gonna happen ever. ;-)

The EF 50mm f/1.4 people expect from Canon is part of a new category, started with the Zeiss Otus 55mm f/1.4, Nikon 58mm f/1.4, and Sigma 50mm f/1.4, all announced within the last three quarters. It should be a Canon EF 5Xmm f/1.4 USM (might be IS-less) priced at ~U.S.$1,500

As others wrote above, none of Canon's 50mm are in this category. The f/1.8 is a cheap kit lens, the f/2.5 is a macro lens, the f/1.2 is a portraiture lens, and the f/1.4 is in the wrong price bracket.

My guesses are:

1. The f/1.8 is here to stay.

2. The f/1.4 will get the 24, 28, and 35 treatment (IS, ring USM, etc).

3. A new f/1.4 to fill the spot. If people want to buy, it's good business sense to sell.

4. The f/1.2 will stay beside the new f/1.4, even though sales might take a hit.

The EF 50mm f/1.4 people expect from Canon is part of a new category, started with the Zeiss Otus 55mm f/1.4, Nikon 58mm f/1.4, and Sigma 50mm f/1.4, all announced within the last three quarters. It should be a Canon EF 5Xmm f/1.4 USM (might be IS-less) priced at ~U.S.$1,500

As others wrote above, none of Canon's 50mm are in this category. The f/1.8 is a cheap kit lens, the f/2.5 is a macro lens, the f/1.2 is a portraiture lens, and the f/1.4 is in the wrong price bracket.

My guesses are:

1. The f/1.8 is here to stay.

2. The f/1.4 will get the 24, 28, and 35 treatment (IS, ring USM, etc).

3. A new f/1.4 to fill the spot. If people want to buy, it's good business sense to sell.

4. The f/1.2 will stay beside the new f/1.4, even though sales might take a hit.

I would like to add weather sealing to your list so a new 50/1.4 would be L grade. Reason being is that a fast 50 would be to use during winter when light is low and it rains most days where I live (next to a rain forest at 60 degrees N latitude).